No. 83.
Mr. Morton
to Mr. Frelinghuysen
.
Paris , January 20, 1882. (Received February 3.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a copy and translation of a bill, in relation to American salted meats, which was introduced in the Chamber on the 14th instant by Mr. Faure, deputy and under secretary of commerce.
This bill repeals the decree prohibiting the importation of American pork, and provides for its introduction into France upon certain restrictions, which will, I believe, practically result in its free admission.
The minister in presenting this bill explained the reasons which dictated its action.
At the time the decree was issued, anxiety and alarm existed; microscopic examination could not be resorted to, and prohibition under the circumstances was necessary. But since that time nearly all the chambers of commerce of France have protested against the measure, and the government has been led to question seriously the propriety of maintaining it.
A careful examination elicited the fact that from 1878 to 1880, 95,000,000 kilograms of American pork were consumed in France without danger, and that Belgium, where the consumption is about six times as large as in France, and England, where it is eight times as large, did not suffer at all from trichinosis.
It was found besides that the cooking of the meat afforded an additional protection against trichinosis to the one already secured by its process of curing.
Upon the evidence of these facts the committee of public hygiene rescinded its former advice, and declared that in its opinion prohibition was unnecessary, provided the meat introduced into France was well cured. The government therefore proposes the free admission of American pork upon the conditions stated in the bill.
It has taken nearly two years to establish the fact that the remonstrances [Page 149] which our government made from the beginning to this unjustifiable measure, and which have been constantly pressed upon the French authorities by my predecessor and myself, were just and well founded in every respect.
I regret that the bill proposed still maintains the prohibition of sausages and hashed meat, the reasons for which I do not understand.
But as the bill is, if its provisions are applied in a liberal spirit, as I believe they will be, our packers will have no reason to complain.
* * * * * * *
I have, &c.,